SANTA CLARA, Calif. - The Niagara men's basketball team (7-3) turned up the defensive pressure en route to a 20-point victory over Morgan State (6-5) in the first round of the 41st Cable Car Classic in Santa Clara, Calif. The 73-53 win in front of 1,512 fans, including former head coach Frank Layden, put the Purple Eagles in the championship game against the host Broncos.

Niagara held an early four point advantage before catapulting to a 33-17 lead with a 12-0 run over a four minute span. The swarming Purple Eagle defense held Morgan State to 24 percent shooting in the opening half for a 45-22 halftime lead.

Senior Charron Fisher (Pennsauken, N.J.) recorded his fourth-straight double-double with 25 points and 10 rebounds. The nation's leading scorer, who had been doing most of his damage in the second half of games, jumped all over the Bears with 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting in the opening stanza.

Sophomore Tyrone Lewis (Levittown, Pa.) regained his shooting touch with 24 points on 9-of-15 shooting from the floor. He shot 6-for-8 in the second half, scoring 14 points after halftime.

Senior Stanley Hodge (Washington, D.C.) also had the hot hand for Niagara, hitting seven of eight shots and totaling 17 points. He was 3-for-3 from behind the arc and pulled down eight rebounds in the win.

Freshman Anthony Nelson (Plainfield, N.J.) did not register a point but dished out nine helpers in the win. He would have hit double digits if not for eight blocked shots by Boubacar Coly that took at least four assists away from the rookie.

Center Benson Egemonye (Benin City, Nigeria) pulled down a career-high tying 12 boards in the win. Niagara extended the lead to as many as 28 points in the second half as the Bears never threatened.

Niagara is back in action tomorrow in the championship game of the Cable Car Classic against Santa Clara. Tip-off is scheduled for 11 p.m. eastern time. You can catch the game live on 105.1 "The River" or on Yahoo! Sports as Todd Callen will have the play-by-play.